Self-stopping hinged sign



April 1957 R. J. sLAvskY ETAL I 2,787,433

SELF-STOPPING HINGED SIGN Filed June 18, 1954 'INVENTOR. RoBEm' J.smvsKY,

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; ATTaR/(EY nited States Patent O SELF-STOPPIN G HIN GED SIGN Robert J.Slavsky and John R. Slavsky, Detroit, lVlich., assignors to Shaw andSlavsky, Inc., Detroit, Micln, a corporation of Michigan ApplicationJune 18, 1954, Serial No. 437,741

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-204) The present invention pertains to a novelself-stopping hinged sign for use particularly in super markets.

It has become customary to attach advertising matter to the forwardedges of shelves in the markets in such manner as to extend into theaisles. It has been found however that such material is frequentlystruck inadvertently by customers moving in the aisles, resulting inmutilation of the advertising matter or throwing it to the floor. Theprincipal object of this invention is to provide a projecting signwhich, although struck in the manner described, will yield temporarilyand then return to its original position. For this purpose a springhinge is provided in the sign, and in this connection another object ofthe invention is to provide such a hinge that does not permit the signto swing back and forth indefinitely after being struck.

More particularly the invention provides a stop mechanism for the signas it returns or springs back after being displaced in either direction.In the accomplishment of the stated objects, a clamp is attached to theforward edge of the shelf, and a sign frame is attached to the clamp bya vertical hinge pin. Two springs are coiled respectively in oppositedirections on the hinge pin and are formed with outwardly projectingends. One end of each spring bears against the clamp but respectively inopposite rotary directions and the remaining ends bear against the signframe and also respectively in opposite directions of rotation. Thelatter ends are not secured to the sign frame. When the frame is pushedin either direction it pushes against one of these ends to tension thecorresponding spring and moves idly away from the other of these ends.When the sign springs back, it strikes the last named end, which nowserves as a stop to reduce the oscillation of the frame as it comes torest. This action occurs on striking the sign frame from either side.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such an assembly aclamp that does not shift under repeated impact on the sign frame. Theforward edge of the shelf carries a price tag molding that extendsbeyond the bottom of the shelf. The clamp, although designed to engageboth surfaces of the shelf, is formed with a drop that makes lengthwiseengagement with the lower projected edge of the molding. Thislongitudinal engagement serves as a brace against shifting of the clampunder the conditions described.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device, showing a conventional shelf andprice tag molding in section;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure l, and

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characterswhich are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 1 is shown a shelf clamp having a vertical side 1 and upperand lower sides 2 and 3 adapted to receive the shelf 4 between them. Theupper side 2 engages the upper surface of the shelf and has a transversen'b 2 for gripping. The lower side 3 terminates in a lip 5 through whichis passed a screw 6 for bearing against the lower surface of the shelf.

To the forward edges of the shelf is secured a price tag molding 7having its lower edge 8 exposed below the bottom surface of the shelf inthe customary manner. The lower side 3 of the clamp has a drop 9 whichengages the edge 8 lengthwise. The clamp is of substantial width alongthe edge 9 and thus makes a substantial line contact with this edge,whereby shifting of the clamp under impact against the printed signframe is prevented.

To the side 1 is secured a bracket 10 having upper and lower lugs 11 and12 alined vertically. A similar bracket 13 has its lugs 14 and 15attached to the lugs 11, 12 by a hinge pin 16. The bracket 13-15 carriesa sign frame 17 of channel section with a slot 18 in the upper side forinsertion of a sign card 19.

Around the ends of the hinge pin 16 are coiled wire springs 20 and 21 indirections opposite to each other. A spacer sleeve 22 surrounds thehinge pin between the springs. Each spring has one end 23 and 24 bearingagainst the bracket with tension in opposite directions [respectivelybecause of the opposite winding of the springs. These ends are notsecured to the bracket. The remaining ends 25 and 26 bear against thebracket 10 with respectively opposed pressures. These ends remainconstantly in contact with the bracket 10.

When the frame is swung in either direction by impact, it pushes againstone of the ends 23, 24 and tensions the corresponding spring. At thesame time the bracket 13 moves away from the other end, 23, 24 with noaction on the corresponding spring. When the impact force is removed,the tensioned spring throws the bracket 13 and frame 17 toward itsneutral position and into contact with the previously disengaged end 23or 24. This end serves as a stop which rapidly dampens the vibration oroscillation of the sign frame, as distinguished from the prolongedoscillation that would occur if a single spring were used.

A freely oscillating sign could not be easily read by the customer. Hisattention would be attracted by the oscillation rather than the subjectmatter of the sign. This result is avoided by the quick stopping of thesign in the manner set forth.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that various alterations in the detailsof construction will be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as indicated by the appended claim.

What we claim is:

In a self-stopping double swinging hinged sign, a bracket of strap metalformed with a horizontal top member, a vertical side member and ahorizontal bottom member, the latter having an apertured portion whichis spaced horizontally remote from the side member and is also offset tobe well above the lower end of the side member, a vertical clampingscrew threaded into and through the aperture of said portion and havinga clamping tip on its upper end and a handle on its lower end, a signframe, and two C-shaped hinge forming members between the bracket sideand a vertical side of the frame for hingedly connecting the bracket andthe frame, the C-shaped hinge-forming members being formed of strapmetal and having their intermediate vertical sides welded respectivelyto the vertical sides of the bracket and sign frame, and having twopairs of horizontal top and bottom parts in overlapping relation, ahinge pin passing through both pairs of said parts, two oppositelytorsion type springs .on said pin each having its two free endsbearingagainst the vertical sides of the hinge-forming members, and a spacersleeve between the springs.

References Cited in the file of this patent I.

UNITED STATES PATENTS I 273,653 Whissemore Mai, 6, 1883 724,039 PeterkinMar. 31, 1903 901,648

Rodgers Oct. 20, 1908 Winter Oct. 31, 1916 Newman Nov. 20, 1923 HastingsSept. 9, 1924 Kimbrough Sept. 21, 1926 Aufenast Oct. 11, 1927 HieringJuly 5, 1932 Glasgow Feb. 21, 1939 Black Oct. 17, 1950 Anderson Feb. 10,1953

